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Our beautiful summer weather is quickly coming to an end. The day was another fantastic one: mostly sunny skies, temperatures in the middle to upper 80s, and moderate humidity. This week has been one for the record books (really) and will soon be missed. A somewhat rainy pattern is working its way into the region and is likely to last through the weekend.

Through Tonight: The chance of rain begins tonight as clouds creep back into the area, and an isolated shower is possible after dark. Rain is slightly more likely late tonight into Friday morning (30%). Temperatures will fall to the low 70s overnight in the city, and to the mid-to-upper 60s in the cooler suburbs. Winds will be light at 5 mph or less out of the south.

Tomorrow (Friday): Our chance of showers increases a bit on Friday. Plan on a 30% chance in the morning, increasing to just over a 50% chance in the afternoon. Highs will peak in the mid-80s under cloudy skies. Winds at 5-10 mph from the south.

The sun sets on the Stonewall Jackson Monument at Manassas Battlefield National Park. (Kevin Ambrose)

California drought worsens

It doesn’t seem possible that the California drought could get any worse. Last week, 36.5% of the state was in “exceptional drought,” the worst drought intensity classification, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. This week, that area has climbed to a remarkable 58.4%.

The National Weather Service in Hanford, Ca. illustrates how the drought has spread across the state since last year. Read more about the drought from Mark Berman.

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Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.